Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in UK rises by 171 to 1,543

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK has increased by 171 in the last 24 hours - to 1,543 The latest update from the Department of Health reads: "As of 9am on 16 March 2020, 44,105 people have been tested in the UK, of which 42,562 were confirmed negative and 1,543 were confirmed as positive." The total of 1,543 confirmed cases in the UK includes 124 in Wales and 171 in Scotland.

Thirty-five people have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus. Testing is being prioritised for those who are at most at risk - for example those in who are in hospital care for pneumonia or acute respiratory illness, health officials say.